The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-03
GETTYSBURGS FIRE
FOES OF THE THIRD DAYS FIGHT
BURY ALL ANIMOSITY,

Capt. Reeve of Pickett's Division Urges
National Camp Fire on the Battle
field and the Erection of a National
Monument to American Valor-A
Letter From the President and Sena-
tor Sherman.
GETTYSBURG, PA. July about 500
survivors of the Sixty-ninth, Seventy-flrst,
Seventy second and One Hundred and sixth
regiments, composing the Philadelphia Bri-
gade which bore so conspicuous part in
the third days fight at Gettysburg when con-
fronted by Pickett's Division of the Con-
federate army, arrived here this afternoon
The welcome which they extended to the
survivors of their old antagonists
tonight was warm one. Pick
ett's men were received at the
railroad station by the Philadelphias and
escorted from the depot to the Eagle Hotel,
where stand-up lunch was given them,
after which all made for the county court
house, where the first campfire of the blue
and gray upon the historic grounds of
Gettysburg was held.
CALLED TO ORDER.
At Q O'Clock the meeting was called to
order by John w. Frazier, who said
LADIES, COMRADES AND FRIENDS: The high
honor of calling this meeting to order has been
assigned to This is, as you all know, the
first fraternal meeting of the blue and the gray
that has taken place on these grounds. and,
standing beside the last resting place of the
honored dead who here gave their last full
measure of their devotion to the Union, say to
you that these fraternal meetings of the blue
and the grey will do more to create and
maintain sincere and lasting fellowship among
hp nannln whole than
else that has taken place since the war for the
preservation of the Union ended, and hope to
see them as believe they will be, held all along
the line from Gettysburg to Nickshurg
Knowing well the feelings that prompted the
meeting, can truly say this fraternal meeting
of the Philadelphia brigade-and Pickett's divs
ion will indeed prove
"a union Of hearts and union of hands,
A union none can sever;
union of homes and union of lands,
And the flag of our Union forever"
THE PRESIDING OFFICER.
now have the pleasure of presenting Com
rade w. s. Stockton as presiding officer of this
meeting with the statement that to him more
than any other is due the credit of bringing it
about
Col. Stockton upon assuming the chair
manship said that he thanked his comrades
for the honor conferred upon him, and he
would take occasion simply to remark that
he believed what was done and said here
upon this fraternal gathering of the blue
and grey would mark a new and gratifying
era in our country's history. As presiding
officer it was his pleasant duty to present
Col Charles H. Banes, President of the
Philadelphia Brigade Association, who
would extend soldiers welcome to foes in
war, but a warm, devoted and lasting
friendship in peace.
COL. BANES' WELCOME.
Col. Banes stepped forward and said:
FELLOW CITIZENS AND MEMBERS OF PICKErT's
Division OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
An honorable and pleasing duty has been as
signed to me by the Philadelphia brigade of the
Second division, Second corps, Army of the
Potomac. This veteran brigade of the Union
army composed of the Sixty ninth, Seventy
first, Seventy-second and One Hundred and
Sixth regiments of Pennsylvania volunteers,
upon more than one occasion during the
dark hours of the republic encountered your
people IN active warfare, and II fell TO our lot to
meet in hostile array and deadly conflict in what
may be truly called the crisis of the battle of
Gettysburg, within sight Of the masses of the
armies on that memorable afternoon of July 3,
1858. The most wonderful intellectual gift that
the benefcant Creator has bestowed upon men
is the faculty Of memory. power to recall from the
inner recess Of the brain thoughts and scenes
that for years have lain dormant and which in
turn call Others as they pass rapidly before the
mind, bringing to mental view most wildly the
panorama and scenes of this historic field.
STORY OF THE BATTLE.
Col. Banes gave from memory vivid
and eloquent description Of the battle,
describing the snare of Pickett's division in
it as one of devotion, sacrifice and courage
unsurpassed in the history of our country.
He said:
No thoughtful man can at this date read the
history of the war or recall its memories and
fail TO see the hand of Divine Providence devel-
oping, through trial and discipline that courage
and tenacity for principle and patriotism which
eXaltS and ennobleS people. We have dwelG FOR
few moments on the incidents of the battle for
the reason that our associations compel the
reference, but to-day as soldiers of a common
country meet as citizens of a united
country Old issues are dead and new ones
confront us. We who have fought as
blue and gray can discuss the past. if need
be, in the light of the present as travellers who,
after perilous journeys and conflicts by the way
set down on mountain top and review tle
scenes through which they have passed and the
dangers of the road over which they have
journeyed. We welcome you to this historic
field aud its mei. .Ories with true soIderiy greet
ing. In the performance Of this duty we would
fail to hOnoraby acgu.t ourselves did we not
announce TO you that the spontaneous move
meIlt Of the Philadelphia brigade in the tender
OF this reception mas the approval and practical
support of our citizens of all classes and pur
suits of life
WELCOME TO PIcKETTs MEN.
And now it remains for me to say TO you, meu
Of Pickett's division, by the authority Of this
brigade, association and its friends, that we de
sire that You will honor US during your stay OF
Gettysburg by becoming our guests. We wei
come You because you We're brave sOldierSin the
war. We welcome you because you are true
citizens in peace and may our stay here be one
OF pleasure 90 each of us and OF fraternal greet
ing that shall guide us to higher resolves
sfor the perpetuity of the constitution
and the Union, to manly deteruli
nation as citizens to meet conScientionsiy
and in fear of God the questions and issues OF
the hour, and TO such an abiding faith IN the
magnificent destiny Of the republic as viii lead
each of us to trust that the Almighty Being who
spoke from the cloud and pillar OF fire to the
leader of Israel saying: Speak 20 the children
Of Israel thnt they go forward, and who to-day
is calling to US by His providence TO higher and
nobler achievements in the cause OF humanity
and government Of the people.
CAPT. REEVES REPLY.
Upon behalf of Pickett's Veterans, Capt
G, =. Reeve, of Richmond, commander OF
Pickett's Division Association, responded a'
follows:
FRIENDS AND CoMRApEs--I desire for myself
and comrades TO tender you our heartfelt
extended us on this, an occasion never TO be for
gotten by US, but cherished and remembered as 3
bright spot IN the checkered pathway Of life. II
IN the remarks which desire 10 make on SUD
much a and "sf felt deeply, should
be led to say some things
which might better be left unsaid, attribute
them 70 the warmth of my feeling on the sub
1ect. Bear In mind that | am speaking in nc
representative capacity. but am solely re
SpOnsibe for the continents ! utter. Perhaps